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Abstract:

A cable hanger has a mounting end for attachment to a support structure
and a cable support portion coupled to the mounting end. The cable
support portion has at least two spaced parallel legs defining a
receiving slot therebetween. Each receiving slot has a closed bottom and
an open top end for receiving and locating coiled loops of cable.
Preferably, the mounting end can be releasably attached to the support
structure, and may have a hook shape whose free end is spaced from the
cable support portion to receive part of the support structure
therebetween. The cable hanger may be formed from bent rod. The receiving
slots are sized to accommodate the diameter and length of cable being
supported and the number of receiving slots may vary. Some embodiments
include tie bars for locking the cable in the receiving slots and locking
the cable hanger to a support structure.

Claims:

1. A cable hanger having a mounting end for attachment to a support
structure and a cable support portion coupled to the mounting end, the
cable support portion having at least three spaced parallel legs defining
side-by-side receiving slots therebetween, each receiving slot having a
closed bottom end and an open top end and adapted to receive and locate
loops of a cable formed into a coil.

2. A cable hanger according to claim 1 in which said receiving slots each
have a width commensurate with a diameter of cable to be supported
therein and a height sufficient to receive a plurality of loops of the
cable disposed one above the other in said receiving slots.

3. A cable hanger according to claim 1 formed from bent rod.

4. A cable hanger according to claim 1 in which the mounting end is
adapted to be releasably attached to a support structure.

5. A cable hanger according to claim 4 having a hooked mounting end with
a free end adapted to be attached to a support structure and spaced from
the cable support portion to define an open bite portion.

6. A cable hanger according to claim 5 in which the mounting end and
outer legs of the cable support portion are formed from one length of
bent rod having a general S-shape configuration.

7. A cable hanger according to claim 1 having a releasable tie-bar
disposed to lie across the open top end of the receiving slots to trap
cable between the tie bar and the closed bottom of said receiving slots.

8. A cable hanger according to claim 5 having a releasable tie-bar
disposed to lie across the open bite portion of the mounting end to trap
a portion of the support structure received therein.

9. A cable hanger according to claim 5 having a releasable tie-bar
disposed to lie across the open top end of the receiving slots and to lie
across the open bite portion of the mounting end.

10. A cable hanger according to claim 7 in which the tie-bar is hinged to
an outer one of said legs and has a free end which has a closed loop for
receiving a padlock hasp.

11. A cable hanger according to claim 8 in which the tie-bar is hinged to
the hooked mounting end and has a free end which has a closed loop for
receiving a padlock hasp.

12. A cable hanger according to claim 9 in which the tie-bar is hinged to
one of said outer legs and the hooked mounting end and has a free end
which has a closed loop for receiving a padlock hasp.

13. A cable hanger according to claim 5 having a a first releasable
tie-bar disposed to lie across the open bite portion of the mounting end,
the first tie-bar being hinged to the hooked mounting end and having a
free end with a first closed loop, a second releasable tie-bar disposed
to lie across the open end of the receiving slots, the second tie-bar
being hinged to an outer one said legs and having a free end which has a
second closed loop, the length of said first and second tie-bars being
selected so that said first and second closed loops lie side by side and
are adapted to receive a padlock hasp therethrough.

14. A cable hanger according to claim 1 having at least one closed loop
formed adjacent said closed bottom end of the receiving slots, said
closed loop being adapted to receive a padlock hasp.

15. A cable hanger according to claim 1 in which a plate extending
between legs of the receiving slots is fixed to the cable support portion
and spaced from the closed bottom end of said receiving slots to define
at least one said closed loop for receiving a padlock hasp.

16. A cable hanger having a mounting end for attachment to a support
structure and a cable support portion coupled to the mounting end, the
cable support portion having at least two spaced parallel legs defining a
receiving slot therebetween, each receiving slot having a closed bottom
end and an open top end and adapted to receive and locate loops of a
cable formed into a coil, said receiving slot having a maximum width
commensurate with a diameter of cable to be supported therein and a
height sufficient to receive a plurality of loops of the cable disposed
one above the other in the receiving slot.

17. A cable hanger according to claim 16 formed from bent rod.

18. A cable hanger according to claim 16 in which the mounting end is
adapted to be releasably attached to a support structure.

19. A cable hanger according to claim 18 having a hooked mounting end
with a free end adapted to be attached to a support structure and spaced
from the cable support portion to define an open bite portion.

20. A cable hanger according to claim 19 in which the mounting end and
outer legs of the cable support portion are formed from one length of
bent rod having a general S-shape configuration.

21. A cable hanger according to claim 1 having a tie-bar disposed to lie
across the open bottom end of the receiving slot to maintain alignment
between the legs.

22. A cable hanger according to claim 19 having a tie-bar disposed to lie
across the open bite portion of the mounting end to maintain alignment
between said free end of the hooked mounting end and an outer leg.

23. A cable hanger according to claim 19 having a releasable tie-bar
disposed to lie across the open top end of the receiving slots and to lie
across the open bite portion of the mounting end.

Description:

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a hanger for suspending cable, including
welding cable, electrical cord, hose, wire or rope so that it may
conveniently be stored in a tidy fashion away from the floor and secured,
as necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Convenient storage of electrical cable such as welding cable and
extension cords is a problem which is understood by many homeowners who
have wrestled with an extension cord, perhaps after mowing the lawn or
using a snow blower or power tool. The problem is exacerbated in
industrial construction and maintenance where the cables used for welding
and powering electrical heavy equipment may be of very thick diameter and
extremely long. Such cables may weigh in excess of forty pounds, and be
fifty to one hundred feet long.

[0003] Improper storage of cable results in inevitable entanglements of
the cable with consequent losses in productivity as maintenance workers
retrieve and untangle cable. Cable which lies on the floor can be a
tripping hazard, is susceptible to damage from being run over by fork
trucks and the like, becomes covered in grease and debris and is subject
to damage, such as cutting and melting of the plastics sleeve from
welding sparks and molten steel caused by grinding and torch cutting
operations. Adequate cable support is therefore required during use of
the cable as well as during storage to protect the cable from damage but
also to keep the workplace clear and safe.

[0004] To save space, cables are usually coiled and individual loops are
secured at one end of a coil with a fastener such as tape, string, tie
strips and the like. The coil can conveniently be suspended from a
wall-mounted hook.

[0005] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,058, a cable support bracket is provided for
mounting to a wall or other supporting structure. The bracket has an
outwardly extending horizontal plate and a central tab combining to form
a U-shaped channel for receiving and locating individual loops of a
cable. The arrangement is intended to prevent the cable from becoming
tangled. However, access to the U-shaped channel is limited by a small
gap formed in the outwardly extending plate and commensurate with the
cable diameter. The device is of limited capacity and requires a
permanent or semi-permanent installation and therefore is not portable.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,979 provides a cable hanger for suspension from
ceiling wires and is adapted to be used in the space defined between a
roof and a suspended ceiling. A U-shaped trough is used to support a coil
of wires and the like and is formed from bent rod which conveniently is
shaped to slide on and grip a ceiling suspension wire. The device is
unsuitable for use with the heavy power cables and welding cables for
which this invention is intended.

[0007] An object of this invention is to provide a convenient and reliable
support for cable which overcomes, at least in part, some of the
aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with this invention, there is provided a cable hanger
having a mounting end for attachment to a support structure and a cable
support portion coupled to the mounting end. The cable support portion
has at least two spaced parallel legs defining side-by-side receiving
slots therebetween. Each receiving slot has a closed bottom and an open
top end for receiving and locating loops of a cable formed into a coil.

[0009] Preferably, the mounting end is adapted to be releasably attached
to the support structure and the cable hanger is formed from bent rod.

[0010] The mounting end will preferably have a hook shape with a free end
attaching to the support structure which is spaced from the cable support
portion to optionally receive a portion of a support structure
therebetween.

[0011] The receiving slots will have a height and width selected to
accommodate the diameter and length of cable being supported and the
number of receiving slots may vary accordingly.

[0012] For some applications, it is preferable for the cable hanger to
include tie bars whereby the associated cable may be secured in the
receiving slots with a padlock and the cable support itself may be
secured to a support structure preventing unauthorized removal of the
cable from the cable support portion and removal of the mounting end from
the support structure. The cord of a power tool may also be inserted into
the cable support portion with an extension cord to prevent unauthorized
removal of the extension cord and the power tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to better understand the invention, several embodiments
are described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable hanger made in accordance
with the invention shown in use in association with a coil of electrical
cable;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the cable hanger of FIG. 1
(drawn to a larger scale) with the electrical cable unraveled;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a cable
hanger made in accordance with the invention;

[0018] FIG. 5 (drawn adjacent FIG. 3) is a side elevation view of the
cable hanger of FIG. 3;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the cable hanger of FIG. 3
shown with a hooked mounting end inserted into a hole;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a similar view to FIG. 6 of a third embodiment of a cable
hanger shown with a hooked mounting end hooked over a cable conduit;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a similar view to FIG. 6 of the third embodiment of a
cable hanger shown with a hooked mounting end located in a doorjamb;

[0022]FIG. 9 (drawn adjacent FIG. 7) is a similar view to FIG. 6 of a
fourth embodiment of a cable hanger shown with a hooked mounting end held
by a lip on toolbox;

[0023] FIGS. 10 to 12 show the third embodiment of a cable hanger mounted
to different structures by a mounting hook;

[0024]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a cable
hanger made in accordance with the invention;

[0025]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a cable
hanger made in accordance with the invention and shown being carried by a
hand;

[0026]FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of embodiment six of a cable
hanger made in accordance with the invention;

[0027]FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of embodiment seven of a cable
hanger made in accordance with the invention;

[0028] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of embodiment eight of a cable
hanger made in accordance with the invention.

[0029] FIGS. 18 to 20 show the third embodiment of a cable hanger with tie
bars in various positions for use to secure the cable hanger and cable;

[0030]FIG. 21 shows the second embodiment of a cable hanger with an
adapter inserted to accommodate small diameter cable;

[0031]FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of embodiment nine of a cable
hanger made in accordance with the invention; and

[0032]FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of embodiment ten of a cable
hanger made in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] A first embodiment of a cable hanger made in accordance with the
invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 20 in FIGS. 1 and
2. The cable hanger 20 has a mounting end 22 for attachment to a support
structure (not shown) and which in this embodiment consists of a simple
hook with a free end. A cable support portion 24 is coupled to the
mounting end 22 and has three spaced parallel legs 26 defining two
side-by-side receiving slots 28 therebetween. Each receiving slot has a
closed bottom end 30 and an open top end 32. Conveniently, the hooked
mounting end 22 and outer legs 26 of the cable support portion 24 are
formed from one length of bent rod having a general S-shaped
configuration. The middle leg 26 is formed from a piece of rod welded
between the inner and outer legs 26. While other materials may be used,
rod is inexpensive, easy to form, and also resistant to physical abuse.

[0034] An electrical extension cord 34 is shown in FIG. 1 with discrete
loops of the cable disposed one above the other in the receiving slots 28
so as to form a coil. Each receiving slot 28 has a width which is
commensurate with the diameter of cable to be supported therein and a
height sufficient to receive a plurality of loops of the cable disposed
one above the other in the receiving slots. It will be appreciated that
the storage capacity of the cable hanger can be varied by changing the
length of the slots 28 and the number of receiving slots 28 as
schematically illustrated by the embodiments shown in FIGS. 15 to 17
where like numerals have been used to identify like parts. Thus, the
embodiment 36 of FIG. 15 shows a single slot 28 reinforced with a plate
37 extending between parallel legs 26 and plate 39 extending across the
bite of mounting end 22 to prevent splaying under load whereas the
embodiment 38 of FIG. 16 shows two slots which may have more or less
height as indicated in chain-dotted outline and the embodiment 40 of FIG.
17 has three receiving slots defined by four spaced parallel legs 26 in
the cable support portion 24.

[0035] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the cable hanger
20 has a releasable tie bar 42 which is disposed to lie across the open
top end 32 of the receiving slots 28 to trap the electrical cable 34
between the tie bar 42 and the closed bottom end 30 of the receiving
slots 28. The tie bar 42 consists of a short length of rod which is
hooked at one end around an outer leg 26 of the cable support portion,
the leg 26 having a free end which is itself bent to form an eyelet 44 to
trap the tie bar 42. In this way, the tie bar 42 is hinged to outer leg
26. Meanwhile, the free end of the tie bar 42 is itself bent at a
transverse angle and formed into an eyelet 46 to snap around the outer
leg 26 of the cable support portion 24, as shown. By increasing the
transverse angle, the holding power of the latch can also be increased.
Once the tie bar 42 has snapped shut, splaying of legs 26 is prevented in
the cable support portion. A padlock 48 with hasp 50 threaded through the
eyelet 46 to encircle the associated leg 26 may be used to secure the
cable 34 in the cable support portion 24 and thereby prevent unauthorized
removal of the cable.

[0036] A plate 52 which extends between the legs 26 of the receiving slots
28 is fixed to the cable support portion 24 with two welds on legs 26
preventing splaying of legs 26 when the tie bar 42 is unlatched. The
plate 52 is conveniently spaced from the closed bottom end 30 of the
receiving slots 28 to define two closed loops for receiving a second
padlock hasp 54. The closed loop formed at the bottom of the cable
support portion can be used to attach a rope, to tie cable or to secure
the cable with a second padlock 56 as shown in FIG. 2 and thereby prevent
separation of the cable from the cable hanger. A power tool may also be
secured to the cable hanger using padlock 56.

[0037] Because the weight of the cable is not negligible and the load on
the open hooked mounting end 22 considerable, it may be desirable to
reinforce the hooked mounting end. A second embodiment of a cable hanger
58 is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 in which such reinforcement is provided. Here
the hooked mounting end 22 is reinforced by a parallel extending guide 60
closed at both ends to trap a second tie bar 62 that extends across the
open bite portion of the hooked mounting end 22 and which can freely
glide from one end of the guide 60 to the other. The second tie bar 62 is
thus hinged to the mounting end 22 and has a free end which is bent
transversely to the tie bar and formed into an eyelet 64 which clasps
around one of the outer legs 26 of the cable support portion 24. In this
way, the eyelets 46, 64 lie side by side and are adapted to receive a
padlock hasp (not shown). Securing the cable hanger 58 in this way allows
the second tie bar 62 to trap a portion of a support structure such as a
two by four beam 66 thereby securing the entire assembly 58.

[0038] In yet another variation, the cable hanger 58 has a single closed
loop 68 formed adjacent the closed bottom end 30 of the receiving slot 28
and which is suitable for suspending a utility lamp or securing a padlock
56 as shown.

[0039] Returning to the hooked mounting end 22, it will be observed that
in the cable hanger 58 the free end of the hook 22 extends outwardly
before progressing downwardly in the shape of a "dog's leg". This
configuration of the free end 70 permits the cable hanger to be
releasably attached to various support structures as schematically
illustrated by FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0040] In FIG. 6, the cable hanger 58 has free end 70 of the hooked
mounting end 22 received in an aperture 72 formed in a bracket or shelf
74. It will be understood that a number of such cable hangers 58 may be
supported at a height above the ground and spaced from each other at
regular intervals in order to support cable suspended therebetween. In
FIG. 6, it will be seen that the configuration of the free end 70
provides a mating surface for the hooked mounting end 22 to rest on the
bracket 74 and be supported thereby.

[0041] In FIG. 7, a cable hanger 71 with four parallel legs 26 is shown
with its free end 70 wedged between a cable conduit 76 supported by a
bracket along a concrete wall 78.

[0042] In FIG. 8, the cable hanger 71 with four parallel legs 26 is shown
in association with a door jamb 80 with its free end 70 having been
hammered into the dry wall 82 so as to chip off a small corner above the
door jamb.

[0043] In FIG. 9, a cable hanger 83 is shown with the free end 70 of the
hooked mounting end 22 supported by a lip portion of a toolbox 84. Here,
the hooked mounting end 22 has no curvature in the open bite so that it
is easier to grasp in the hand. Other forms of support structures which
may be associated with the cable hanger according to the invention will
be apparent to those skilled in the art. In some circumstances, it will
be more practical to support the cable hanger from a mounting hook formed
adjacent the outer leg 26 remote from the hooked mounting end 22. Such a
mounting hook 85 is illustrated in the drawings of FIGS. 10 to 12 in
association with various structures. In FIG. 10, the mounting hook 85 is
shown hanging on a small lip such as an angle iron 86, whereas in FIG. 11
the mounting hook 85 is supported by square mesh fencing 88 which is used
in the construction of tool cribs and in FIG. 12, the mounting hook 85 is
inserted through a drilled hole or slot in steel plate 90.

[0044] Another embodiment of the cable hanger is indicated by reference
numeral 92 in FIG. 13. The cable hanger 92 is identical in most respects
to the cable hanger 58 and like parts have again been identified by like
numerals. Here it will be seen that the closed bottom end 30 of the
receiving slots 28 has been made broader by welding additional pieces of
rod to form a base 94. Such reinforcement allows the cable hanger to
support more weight of cable, as necessary, while preventing the cable
from becoming kinked and also reinforces the cable support portion 24 so
that the outer legs 26 do not splay apart from each other.

[0045] Finally, FIG. 14 shows an embodiment 96 of a cable hanger made in
accordance with the invention which incorporates four parallel legs 26,
defining three receiving slots to increase the capacity of the cable
hanger without having to increase the length of the receiving slots 28.
In the embodiment illustrated, the second tie bar 62 is shown in the
upward orientation at a top end of the guide 60 where it operates to hold
the hooked mounting end 22 in a spaced parallel disposition relative to
an outer leg 26 of the cable support portion 24. Conveniently, the second
tie bar 62 will act as a guard to protect fingers from being pinched when
manually carrying the cable hanger 96 on a job site from one location to
another. Once at the required location, the first tie bar 42 is released
and the cable 34 is unwound one loop at a time in an orderly fashion by
simply pulling the cable from the free end which was last placed in the
cable hanger for storage. When the job is complete, the process is simply
reversed, the cable and cable hanger are secured, as necessary, and the
equipment is safely stored until needed again.

[0046]FIG. 18 shows the cable hanger with bar 62 locked to leg 26, also
shown is a phantom view of the bar 62 in the upward orientation of guide
60. FIG. 19 shows the bar 42 locked, preventing the removal of cable. In
FIG. 20 tie bars 62 and 42 are both locked separately. The bar 62
prevents removal of the cable hanger while the bar 42 prevents removal of
cable.

[0047]FIG. 21 shows a cable hanger with the width of slot 28 set for a
1/2 in cable. If one wishes to store a thinner diameter cable 104 in this
unit, a rubber hose adapter 98 such as a gas line hose can be slid over
central leg 26 as shown. Once this adapter has been installed, a thin
cable or rope such as an anchor rope for a small boat can be placed in
receiving slots 28 allowing for vertical stacking. Without this hose, a
1/4 in rope could jam or bunch up in receiving slots 28, preventing
smooth deployment of the rope.

[0048] As exemplified by the various embodiments illustrated, the
invention may be varied by those skilled in the art without departing
from the scope of the appended claims. While the embodiments illustrated
show the mounting end and the outer legs of the cable support portion
being formed from one length of the bent rod having a general S-shaped
configuration, it will be understood that variations such as shown in
FIGS. 22 and 23 are also possible. In FIG. 22, the cable hanger 100 has a
mounting end 22 which is an extension of an outer leg 26 and is bent to
curve over the cable support portion 24. The mounting end 22 could also
be omitted and simply replaced by the mounting hook 85 for attaching the
cable hanger to a support structure in the manner illustrated by FIGS. 10
to 12. In FIG. 23, the cable hanger 102 has a mounting end 22 which is an
extension of an inner leg 26. Other variations will also be apparent
including, for example, selecting different materials for construction of
the cable hanger which could optionally be made from a plate material
instead of wire rod.